Wigan 0-0 Reading

Apr 27 2008

READING boss Steve Coppell revealed striker Kevin Doyle chose to help his side beat the drop - despite suffering a family tragedy.

The Republic of Ireland ace was told his cousin, her husband and two children had all died after a house fire in Co Wexford in the early hours of yesterday morning.

But Doyle spoke to his family and decided to travel to the JJB Stadium where he helped Reading secure a much-needed point.

Coppell said: "His family had wanted to keep it from him until after the match but I felt the right thing to do was to tell him what had happened.

"He felt, very bravely, that he wanted to play and he was terrific given the circumstances.

I can only imagine what he was thinking about before the game."

Reading have failed to score in five games but after watching a lifeless game Coppell insisted he was relieved with the draw.

He said "I would have taken that before kick-off."

Wigan gaffer Steve Bruce said: "It petered out into two nervous teams fighting for their lives."